Debbie chats with Mia Filpo
My husband is Catholic and my kids were baptised Catholic. We were married at the Infant Jesus Church in Morley where we are parishioners.
I have been very involved in parish life for a long time because my children went to play group there. I always go to their school Masses. Part of my reason for becoming Catholic was because my whole family is Catholic. My children were shocked when they heard that I wasn’t baptised!
Previously when my family would go to receive Holy Communion I would just sit there hoping no one would notice that I didn’t get up. Going to the school Masses filled me with the desire to get the full enrichment of receiving the Eucharist with my son and husband. I come from South Africa. My parents believed in God and I attended a Christian school. We had Bible studies and we used to sing hymns at our assemblies. We said the “Our Father” before we took our chairs off the desks in the morning. So the Catholic faith was not completely foreign to me although my parents did not go to Church or pray.
I talk to my kids about my beliefs and want to lead by example. When my husband and I were dating I remember my mother-in-law was about to serve dinner when she said, “Oh no. We can’t have chicken. It’s Ash Wednesday.” When I asked her why, she suggested I speak to Aunty Violet as Aunty Violet knows her faith. I think if you are Catholic, you should be practising. I want to be an active Catholic.
Aunty Violet is my sponsor and she is the nicest person you could ever meet. She would do anything for others like helping me with my ironing. She helps so many people. She’s really special.
Aunty Violet has been my strength during the RCIA process. It has been great sharing the experience with her.
One of the topics we talked about was my son’s education. I was trying to get my son into a Catholic high school where he had been on the waitlist for a year. I felt a bit rejected by the Catholic community when I was told he didn’t have a place.
Then we applied at a Christian high school and they offered him a spot within four weeks! Eventually I came to see that it was a good thing because my son has been a different person ever since and he is very happy. I really think that was God’s work.
My son initially told me that he did not want to do his confirmation as he didn’t feel worthy (he has since been confirmed). He also found some people difficult to get on with even though they were Catholic.
I encouraged him to be opened-minded, and told him we are all human.
We can’t control what others do but we can try to be a better person ourselves. That’s what being Catholic is all about.
Friends of mine couldn’t understand why I wanted to convert to Catholicism but I don’t think they can make that judgment until they have travelled that journey. Since making the decision to be Catholic I have found a sanctuary in my heart.